What To Do For School 2011-2012

Well, it's the end of the school year of 2011.  A time when I should be relaxing and taking it easy.  NOOO!  I am already in the full swing of preparing for 2011-2012 school year. 

This past year my 2 children participated in some co-op type classes.  My daughter took a writing and a history class, of which she enjoyed.  My son took a zoology and a history class, of which he hated!  Is it because my daughter loves to learn and read?  Or because my son is behind in his reading because of an early speech problem?  Not sure.  But, it was the worst decision I have made.  Well, Erin, learned quite a lot in her writing class which was the whole reason I even decided to go to the classes.  Will NOT do that again.

I think I have said this before but I really don't like the "textbook" style learning.  Open the book, read, answer some questions, memorize for test, test, forget!  That's what I did in school and I don't remember a thing!

I have come to the conclusion that whole book learning is for us.  Forget what the government requires for public school graduation as they do not have a graduation requirement of academics for the state of Mississippi.  So, that means I can gear my children's education around what they want to learn and what we wish for them to know as adults.

Erin is gifted in English, needs to work on math skills.  Caleb is gifted in math, and needs to work on his English skills.  Total opposites I have!  Boy vs. Girl?  Who knows!?  What I do know is that I want them to read whole books on the different subjects.  Here is my projected plan for this upcoming school year: Bible, English Math, History, and Science. 

My plan is to begin our day with Bible.  The internet is full of free curriculum (my favorite), I went searching.  I found a plan that I will use to go through Church History  during our morning Bible time together.  Individual Bible study will use the Holy Bible and Balancing the Sword to help with remembering.  We might switch it up because I also want my children to know and understand Westminster Catechisms. 

For history, we will use a resource book that I wish I had a long time ago entitled, All Through the Ages.  In this book, it has the names of history books listed either in chronological order at the front of the book or by region in the back of the book.  Great book for those wanting a list of whole books on the subject of history.

For science, I might have to explain a little.  In the beginning of our homeschool journey, we started with classical education.  While I hated it and didn't like the books out there, I like the idea of learning in chronological order.  As you might have guessed with the history book.  So, why not chronological for science as well.  So, to the internet I begin to search.  I found 2 sites that I will utilize.  Basically they are science time lines in which I will take either an area of science, invention/inventors, and technology, and have the children read on the subject. 

Some one might ask, but what about labs?  I am not so concerned with labs.  Neither of my children have an interest in attending a college so I am not gearing them in that direction.  IF they change their minds, then we will see.  They are both young enough that I can get it in before they graduate.

If you are interested, here are the sites in which I plan to utilize for science:

• http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~wilkins/science/sctmln.html
• http://www.crimsonbird.com/science/timeline.htm

Now, on to English.  Here's where I probably differ from most people who homeschool.  Because English encompasses reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary I really see no use in purchasing a separate curriculum.  As I see it, the kids can read their history and science books then write about what they read.  I see the reading comprehension in their writing, can check for understanding of material and usage of words.  Did they spell the words correctly?  Did they use the correct word?  If I see they are spelling a word incorrectly often or using run-on sentences, then we can stop and teach that.  But, if they understand the material and are writing well, there's no sense in spending hours teaching something they already understand.

I do understand that I am weird in my thinking and we might have to rewrite many papers.  I guarantee they will remember what they read!  At least, that's what I'm hoping will happen!

The Devil Made Me Do It

How many times, as a Christian, have you heard someone say that? As if we don't have control over our own actions. How absurd! Whether we want to believe it or not, we are a fallen nation. Fallen meaning we are all sinners.

There is none who does good.

Psalm 14:1

No one is good but One, that is, God.

Matthew 19:17

If you have children you know that no one has to teach them to sin. No one teaches them to defiantly touch that knickknack you told them to not touch. No one teaches them to lay down on the floor to throw that tantrum. It's innately wired in them. The Bible teaches that no one is good. You see, God gave us the freedom of choice. We can choose to obey the desire of your flesh or you can choose to obey the desires of the Spirit. Desires of the flesh will lead to disobedience. Disobedience is sin and will ultimately lead to eternal death in a place that some people do not believe in. Obedience to the Spirit will lead to holiness.

But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;

because it is written, “You shall be holy for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15-16

Every day we make choices. Does the devil whisper in your ear EVERY time you do something wrong. Absolutely not! God gave us a choice to do what is right, what is righteous. But how do we know what it righteous? You must spend time in the Bible reading His word. You must spend time praying. While you pray or read, ask the Lord to reveal to you the right choice to make. That means that we act and not react to situations. We must teach our children to make the right choices. They don't automatically know what the Bible says any more than you do! If you do not know the Word, then how do you teach it to your children?

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and

shall talk of them when you sit in your house,

when you walk by the way, when you lie down,

and when you rise up.

Deuteronomy 6:7

The bible, as you see, teaches that we, as parents, are to teach our children the word of God. It's not the job of the youth pastors or the preachers. YOU! As the parent, it is your biblical responsibility to teach your children to love the “Lord our God with all our heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut. 6:5) That doesn't mean they shouldn't go to church. That means you take what the preacher preaches, go home and do your own study. You should NEVER believe what anyone else tells you. You should always study for yourself that you may know what you believe. It doesn't matter if you are not a Bible scholar. Do your best! If you ask God, He will give you the desires of your heart if they are in alignment with His word and His will!

Who do you compare yourself to? Osama bin Laden? Hitler? That child molester you saw on the news? That drug dealer in the parking lot? Then you are comparing yourself to the wrong person.

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

Ephesians 1:4

Are you without blame? Do you strive to be holy? Do you know how? Do you wish to know God and His Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for YOU? Or do you want to live in your sin and find out if there is a Hell? 

The Desires of Your Heart

In our women's bible study, we are currently reading the book by Martha Peace entitled, The Excellent Wife.  

Our chapter for the month is about the desires of our hearts.  But, before I tell you about the book and the reason for this post, let me say this.

This morning, while my children slept peacefully in their beds, I watched the movie, The Blind Side.  If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it.  It does have language in it and it's NOT a christian movie.  In fear of giving away the plot, I linked to a page that will give you info on the movie if you so choose to know more about it.

No matter how hard I pray, from a small child, I have always wanted to adopt.  I used to actually think that God would not permit me to have children and that I would have to adopt.  But, in His infinite knowledge, He blessed me with 2 wonderful children- a girl and a boy.  Since, I have one of each gender I should be well satisfied, right?  Sort of.  My heart's desire is to still adopt one day. 

My question is: Does God always grant us our heart's desires?  If we are wanting something that would glorify Him, would or should He grant us our "wishes"?  Let's say someone wants to become a minister or preacher (like my husband told me after we had been married for 10 years).  In our case, God has blessed our family and we are now on our journey with a beautiful congregation for almost 3 years now. 

What if someone wants to be a nurse?  A mom, let's say.  The bible teaches that women are supposed to be "workers at home."  Is it biblical to be a woman nurse, called by God?  One who leaves her home to care for others and leave her children in the care of others, like the public school system?  Homeschooling is another topic in which I will not go into now as to not having the time.

Adopting?  What about my heart's desire?  Can we justify that just because we have this overwhelming desire to do something which is sooo good for others, how can it be bad?  Surely it's from the Lord.  Surely God put those desires in our heart, right?  Or is it right? 

I cannot answer that question for you.  Only God can answer whether or not he will give you the desires of your heart.  If they are for His glory, pray about it and I will to.  May God bless you with your heart's desires that you may bless others with His glory and kindness!